WellCare Gives $5,000 in Micro-Grants to Community-Based Organizations in Kansas

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that it has given $5,000 in micro-grants to five community-based nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organizations that address homelessness and physical and mental illness and provide services to empower low-income individuals and families in Kansas. The micro-grants were given in denominations of $1,000.

"In order to support the best health outcomes possible, medical and social needs must be met," said Danny Maxson, a senior manager of advocacy development at WellCare. "These micro-grants will help to sustain Kansas' social safety net, which is critical to ensuring that people get the resources and services they need to get and stay healthy."

The grant supports "Magical Connections" by the McKinney-Vento program, which helps more than 1,200 homeless children in the district and their families connect to services to assist them with employment, health, and other resources.

Avenue of Life mobilizes the community to equip and empower low-income individuals and families to be self-sustained and independent. It operates an equipping center in Kansas City that provides a range of programs and services designed to meet the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs of families throughout the urban core of Kansas City.

The Community Action Program carries out its anti-poverty mission by providing resources that help families and communities. Examples of support include a food program for in-home childcare providers, housing support and weatherization assistance to help families reduce utility costs.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas partners with communities to remove barriers for those with physical or development disabilities. It assists clients and their families to locate available resources and services, and offers its own unique services such as day-service programs and employment training and placement.

The Dream Center provides human services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger relief, life-controlling issues and education. Among other programs, it operates the Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen and the Daniel R. Trickey Life Giving Center, a transitional housing shelter for women.

"The McKinney-Vento program was excited to host its first resource fair for families with children in Wichita Public Schools and is thankful for WellCare's support," said Cynthia Martinez, McKinney-Vento liaison. "The Magical Connections resource fair hosted vendors, activities, clothing and other giveaway items for children and young people who are homeless or living in hotels or motels."

"Thanks to the generosity of WellCare, Avenue of Life will be able to provide transformative wrap-around services for more than 250 homeless families living in the urban core of Kansas City," said Desiree Monize, executive director, Avenue of Life.

"With WellCare's support, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas will be able to launch a therapy program for individuals with both dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Gerard L. Michaud, president and CEO of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. "We want to thank WellCare for helping us to enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in rural Kansas."